Psalm 34:17
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.

Psalm 131:2
But I have stilled and quieted myself,
just as a small child is quiet with its mother.
Yes, like a small child is my soul within me.

Psalm 94:19
When I was upset and beside myself,
you calmed me down and cheered me up.

Col. 3:15-17
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.
For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise.
Use his words to teach and counsel each other.
Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus,
all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Zeph. 3:17
The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Please read these verses, take them literal, pray them, apply them to every area of your life.  Lead your children to apply them.  There is NOTHING that you face that God can’t handle!!!!!!!  Prayer and the Word is the answer to any emotional, physical, or behavioral problem.

Please watch these disturbing videos with the above scriptures in mind.  Medicine does not trump God!  No matter what you are facing in your life or with your children, let God be the first one you call on, and trust Him wholeheartedly!  Then ‘use his words to teach and counsel each other’.

Watch the full episode. See more FRONTLINE.

(This is another lesson from Here a Little, There a Little, a compilation of Bible activities I created to use with my preschool children. It was designed to spend a week memorizing the verse and reinforcing it through Bible lessons and activities.)

Our Big God

God is greater than man.
Job 33:12

Bible Stories:

1. Psalm 104 David wrote about how great God is.  He knew God was greater than man.  It was God that made the heavens, water, and earth.  He puts the mountains and valleys in place..  God walks on the wind, causes the thunder, gives water to all the animals, and causes the grass to grow.  It is God who has made darkness, feeds the animals, causes the sun to rise and set, gives the animals homes, makes the moon to rise and set.  Man could work from morning to night and not be able to do all God does and has done and will do!!  Truly God is greater than man.
2. Exodus 2:11-14; 3:1-22; 14:15-31 Moses saw one of his people being beaten by an Egyptian.  This made Moses angry and he wanted to help his friend.  Moses killed the Egyptian and buried him in order to help his friend.  The next day someone found the Egyptian that Moses had buried and knew that Moses had done it.  Moses ran away.  God followed Moses and told him that he saw how bad his people were being treated and he was going to use Moses to help them.  God lead Moses to gather the people and lead them out of Egypt.  The Egyptian army followed them.  When they got to the sea, God parted the water and let them pass to the other side.  Just when the army started to pass, God caused all the army to be buried under the water.  God showed Moses that He is greater than man.  When Moses tried to help his people, he only helped one, only destroyed one Egyptian, and then didn’t bury him very well because someone found him.  When God helped His people, He helped them all, destroyed the entire Egyptian army, and completely buried them in the sea.  God IS greater than man!
3. Isaiah 55:8-9:25-31 God is greater than man.  God said that His ways are higher than our ways.  The things God thinks and plans are greater and wiser than the things we think and plan.  That is why we should always ask God what He wants us to do because He knows what is best for us.  God is greater than we are and knows more than we know.  Always ask God to show you what to do because He is greater than you.
4. Matthew 14:25-31 Jesus’ disciples were in a boat one night and Jesus came to them walking on the water.  Peter then wanted to come to Jesus and walk on the water, but he began to sink in the water because he was afraid.  Jesus was greater than Peter.  Jesus could walk on the water but Peter couldn’t.  God is greater than man and can do things greater than men can do.
5. Philippians 2:9-11 Jesus is greater than man.  God has even given Him a name that is greater than any man’s name. God says that at the name of Jesus everyone and everything shall bow down.  Jesus’ name has power and we can use His name to help us with any problem.  When we use Jesus’ name everything and every person will have to respect His name.  God is greater than man.  Jesus is greater than man and His name is greater than man.
6. Mark 4:36-39 Jesus and His disciples were in a boat.  Jesus was taking a nap.  All of  sudden a big storm came up with strong wind that was tossing the boat back and forth.  The disciples were afraid.  When they woke Jesus, He spoke to the wind and said “Peace, be still”.  Immediately the wind stopped.  Only Jesus can stop the wind!!

Prayer: Help us to always be aware that You are greater than us and we should depend on You to handle our problems

Activities for younger preschooler:

1. Go outside and point out all God made and share the verse
2. While in the tub, tell the story of God parting the water
3. Let him look in the mirror and talk about only God can make a cute little baby like him.
4. While in the tub, tell the story of Jesus walking on water
5. Sing ‘Jesus, Jesus, There’s Something About That Name’ from Bill Gaither’s Especially for Children
6. Let him feel the wind and talk about how Jesus stopped the wind

Activities for older preschoolers:

1. Put the verse on the refrigerator.
2. Play in the pool or bath and tell the story about God parting the waters
3. Show a rock, sand, water, etc.  Tell him to try and make a rock.  Share the verse.
4. In the tub or pool, tell the story of Jesus walking on water.  Try to walk on water.
5. Print the name of Jesus in block letters and let your child color it while you sing ‘Jesus, Jesus, There’s Something About That Name’ from Bill Gaither’s Especially for Children
6. Stand in front of a fan and try to stop the wind

Songs:

“Jesus, Jesus, There’s Something About That Name“
Listen to it here
Purchase it here

“My God Is So Big”

Books:

Check your children’s Bibles for the stories mentioned above.  If you don’t have any, there are several recommended on the Train Up The Child aStore

Children learn —

10% of what they read

20% of what they hear

30% of  what they see

50% of what they see and hear

70% of what they say in their own words

90% of what they say while they do something

With this in mind, we should provide learning opportunities which incorporate seeing, hearing, saying, and doing.  The Here A Little, There A Little lessons on this blog are designed to teach a Bible verse using as many senses as possible.

Some interesting statistics:

Children can recall 3 hours later 70% of what we tell them, and only 10% of it 3 days later.
They can recall 3 hours later 72% of what we show them, and only 20% of it 3 days later.
Children can recall 3 hours later 85% of what we tell and show them , and 65% of it 3 days later.

I recently had the opportunity to visit with my mentor, Dr. Jo Bevington.  Three years ago I first wrote about her on my blog;  click here to read that post.

When Jo was 58 she earned her Doctorate in Preschool Education.  Her dissertation was  ‘Faith Development in Children Birth through Three’!!  She has taught at Biola University and New Orleans Seminary, served as Minister to Preschoolers in several large churches; and has been my friend and mentor for 30 years now. It is her profound and lasting impact on my life that has instilled in me the strong desire I have for establishing God’s Word in children.

Jo contacted me about a year ago when she was about to move into a nursing home; she wanted to give me all her files from a lifetime of working with children!!!!!  She is 88, is almost blind, walks with a walker, and only quit teaching preschoolers about two years ago!!!

Billy and I took a quick trip to Texas last week to pick up the files and spend time with Jo. It was a privilege to sit at her feet again. She has always inspired me with her intimate relationship with the Lord. Her spirit shines forth so strongly that I hardly noticed her physical limitations. (2 Cor. 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.)

Here are some videos of our time with Jo.  Please watch and be inspired by this 88 year old saint who passionately walks with the Lord and loves children like no one else I have ever met!

How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!
Psalm 133:1

God desires your children to get along more than you do – He calls it a good and pleasant thing!!!! But dealing with the sibling rivalry, among preschoolers especially, is anything but pleasant; it is an exhausting 24/7 job to deal with each disagreement or aggressive behavior.

Sibling rivalry must be dealt with patiently, persistently, and perceptively:

Patience is accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it.  Be patient as God works in the life of your children. “We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy,” Col. 1:11

Persistence means purposing to accomplish God’s goals in God’s time regardless of the opposition. Don’t give up; you will see the fruit of your labor!! “So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” Galatians 6:9

Perception is discerning or seeing through a surface problem to root causes and then dealing with those causes rather than always punishing the surface problem.  “The Lord doesn’t make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Why is your child refusing to share?  Why is he acting out?   Why does he push his sibling? We want others to understand when we have a bad attitude.  Try to understand why your child is having issues.  Ask God to show you the root causes and how to deal with them. He will never fail you when you ask Him to lead you. 

He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart.
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
Isaiah 40:11

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
John 8:36

Another holiday is another opportunity to teach your children why we celebrate.  Try to always have a centerpiece that represents the holiday so you can be reminded to talk about it at meal times.

This weekend we need to help our children understand that God has allowed us to live in a free country and that many brave soldiers have fought physical and spiritual battles to ensure we have FREEDOM.

Conversation:

Explain that we have physical freedom in our country to go where we want to go and do what we want to do.   Soldiers gave up their lives so we could live in a free country.  Tell your children about America’s history.  Watch these informative Early American Series videos and then retell the stories in your own words to your younger children; be animated and use visuals if possible.  Older children might enjoy watching the videos.

Be sure and emphasis that we have the highest form of freedom, spiritual freedom, because Christ died on the cross to set us free from the punishment for sin and free from the power of sin which is freedom to make wise choices.  Since Christ’s death and resurrection, many soldiers for Christ have fought spiritual battles against the enemy, Satan, so we can know the message of salvation.

Prayer:

Thank you, God, for the freedom we have in our country to go where we want to go and do what we want to do.  Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the Cross so we can be free from the punishment and power of sin.  Thank you for the soldiers who fight for freedom.

Crafts:

Printable color by number American Flag

Printable ‘Pray for Your Leaders’ coloring page

Mini Flags to Make

Activities:

Start a tradition of each 4th of July reading the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere and/or The Declaration of Independence
and playing patriotic music all day.

Watch patriotic movies -
Our favorite is the old Disney classic Johnny Tremain [DVD] (1957)
Another suggestion is Liberty’s Kids cartoon  – The First 4th of July

Sing -
I’m in the Lord’s Army – lyrics and motions
I’m in the Lord’s Army – video

March to patriotic music holding flags you made or purchased.

Patriotic Music:

http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/musicpatriot.htm

http://www.patrioticon.org/patriotic-soundfiles.htm

Sometimes we can get so overwhelmed with all the books,  information available on the internet, and advice from well-meaning friends and family on the different aspects of parenting, that we don’t know what to do!!

Whether you are struggling with behavior problems with your children or the methods of potty training, YOU know your child and the situation better than anyone else and GOD will lead YOU.

Just close the books!

Quit searching the internet!

Quit quizzing others!

and ASK GOD!

Search HIS WORD for direction!

We all need encouragement from others, but don’t substitute the fellowship with other moms for time alone with God.  In order to know what to do for your little one, you must spend time with the One who created you both.  He is ready and waiting to help.  If you let Him help, motherhood can draw you closer to God than you have ever been!

I am convinced that there is nothing a child goes through or a situation we go through that can not be handled with prayer and the Word.  An old preacher once said, “God works in the lives of children through their parents; and parents work in the lives of their children through prayer.” It always goes back to God.  Pray about EVERYTHING, no matter how big or small.

My favorite verse as a mom has always been 1 Thessalonians 5:24 “Faithful is who calls you, who will also do it.” He has called us to the awesome and sometimes overwhelming responsibility and privilege of parenting – He has PROMISED to do it through us!!

In I Chronicles 29:19 King David prayed for his son, “And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build a palace, for which I have made provision.

Then in 1 Kings 5:3-5 Solomon begins the task of building the temple, “You know how my father David could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which were fought against him on every side, until the Lord put his foes under the soles of his feet. But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence. And behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spoke to my father David, saying, “Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he shall build the house for My name.”

King David had a desire to build the temple for the Lord to dwell in.  However he was not able to build it because of wars surrounding him.  So he made preparation for his son Solomon to build it.  Solomon was glad to carry out this desire his dad had.  Solomon spent 7 years building the temple for the Lord.  This made his dad glad!!

Just as David made preparation for Solomon to build the temple for God to dwell in, fathers are to make provision for their children to build a temple. I Corinthians 3:16 points out that God desires to live in us now, “Don’t you know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you.” Then children are to take the provision of instruction and training in the Word from their fathers and build their lives to be a dwelling place for God.  This should make a glad dad (3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.)

Spend the day making your dad glad and leading your children to make their dad glad!

Let’s take this week before Father’s Day to concentrate on teaching our children to be grateful for their fathers, listen to their instruction, and make Glad Dads.   If your child does not have an earthly father, emphasize his relationship with his Heavenly Father.

…children take pride in their fathers
Proverbs 17:6

My son, hear the instruction of your father…
Proverbs 1:8

A person who loves wisdom makes his father happy…
Proverbs 29:3

Bible:

Proverbs 29:3 Are you doing those things that please your Dad?  The Bible says the best way to make your dad happy is to be wise – to do and say those things that please God – to choose to do the right thing.  We can ask God to help us make our  ‘dad glad’.

John 8:26-28 Jesus said, “I do always those things that please the Father:  His Father is God.  Jesus always pleased God.  Jesus said that He only talked about the things He had heard His Father talk about.  He said He did nothing but what His Father had taught Him to do.  God is our Father too and we should always please Him.  But God, who is our Heavenly Father, has given us an earthly Father.  We please God when we listen to our dads just as Jesus listened to his Dad.

Luke 15:11-22 There was a young man who didn’t listen to his dad.  He decided he wanted to leave his dad so he asked for all the money that belonged to him and he left.  When the son got far away, he began to do bad things in bad places with bad people.  Soon he had spent all his money and had nothing to eat and no where to go but back home to his father. He went home and told his dad that he was sorry for all the bad things he had done.  His dad was glad he came home; he forgave him for everything.

Ephesians 6:1-2 God tells children to obey their parents and to honor their father and mother.  This will please God and it will please your dad.  Obeying your parents means doing what they say to do.  Honoring your parents means to have respect for them – like when your dad is talking, be quiet until he has finished – or when your dad says something, don’t argue with him.  Obeying and honoring your parents will please your dad and it will please God.

Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. Jesus did always those things that pleased His Father.  How can we always do those things that please God and our dad?  The Bible says that God will work in us to do those things that please Him.  Sometimes when you find it hard to do the things that please God or your dad, remember that God promises to help you do the right things if you ask Him.

Prayer: God, thank you for my dad.  Help me to listen to him and obey.
Thank you that my dad takes care of me.  God, please take care of my dad and help him with all the things he has to do.

Suggested Activities:

1. Make a poster for the fridge with one of the Bible verse and a picture of dad and pictures of some things he does.
2. Play ‘Follow the Leader’ with dad being the leader.
3. Play ‘Dad Says’ like ‘Simon Says’.
4. Show things that belong to dad. Cover the items, sneak one item away, and let child guess what is missing.
5. Make hand prints on a plaque for dad.
6. Greet Dad with hugs and kisses at the door when he comes home from work.
7. Make a thank you card for dad.  List, draw, or find pictures of things dad does and thank him for doing them.
8. Color one of these pages from Ministry-to-Children.com or one of these pages from Kaboose.com
9. Bake cookies for Dad in shapes of things he uses such as a car, tie, hat, ball, tools, etc.
10. Talk about ways to make a ‘Glad Dad’:
    1. come when he calls
    2. listen when he talks
    3. hear and obey his instructions

Songs:

God Made My Daddy (listen)
(lyrics) God made my daddy; he helps me do so many things.
I love my daddy; he takes care of me
or
God is my Father; He helps me do so many things.
I love my Father; He takes care of me.”

Glad for Dad (listen)
(lyrics)I’m glad today; I’m glad today.
For my Dad, I’m glad today.
God, please help me make my Dad glad

Books
We’re Very Good Friends, My Father and I
The Prodigal Son (Arch Books)
Just Me and My Dad (Little Critter)

Lord Jesus, make Thyself to me

A living, bright Reality;

More present to faith’s vision keen

Than any outward object seen;

More dear, more intimately nigh,

Than even the sweetest earthly tie.

Train Up The Child is all about establishing God’s Word in our children.  Please take the time to watch this short video as Dale Hudson gives excellent suggestions as to how to get the Word from their heads to their hearts.  He points out that it is more about relationship than retention!!!  Keep praying for yourself and for your children the prayer above.

JUNE SPARK from Dale Hudson on Vimeo.